Frequently Asked Questions: How Do I…

Become an active, registered member of the parish?
To become a member, you will need to stop by the parish office and fill out a registration form. The parish office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If this is inconvenient for you, on the second Sunday of each month, our New Family Welcome Committee will be in the gathering area of the church, after the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Masses to register new parishioners and share the new parishioner packet with you. If neither option works for you, there are registration forms on the kiosk in the gathering area of the church, which can be completed and given to an usher.

Be considered an “active” member of the parish?
Registering in a Catholic parish is a declaration of your desire to be part of a Catholic faith community and a commitment to the life of the parish family. Your Catholic commitment brings you many advantages, recognition, and responsibilities. The Diocese of Columbus defines an “active” member of a parish as an individual who celebrates the weekly Mass at their church, volunteers their time/talent, and gives financial support to the parish. These are also the fundamental aspects of Saint Brigid of Kildare’s own Tapestry Program. Being active is not about giving a specific amount of money or time–it is about regular participation. As each parishioner has different financial and time constraints, Saint Brigid of Kildare has a wide range of opportunities available to donate your time, talent or treasure.

Have my baby baptized?
Parents may call the parish office at 614-761-3734 to make arrangements. The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month except during Advent and Lent. You may be asked to attend a Jordan Conference (a Baptism preparation class).

Help my child to receive their First Communion or be Confirmed?
Typically children receive their First Communion in second grade. They are prepared through their first and second grade religion classes at St. Brigid School or Religious Education. If the child is beyond second grade, s/he should join the Sacraments Class, offered on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. throughout the school year. Our young men and women in eighth grade and beyond celebrate Confirmation at a date set for our parish by the Chancery. Again, their preparation includes their previous seven years of religious education as well as their immediate study of the Sacrament of Confirmation, participating in various avenues of service both within and outside of the parish, and expressing a desire to be confirmed.

Get married at St. Brigid of Kildare?
Church law guarantees that active, registered members (see above) of a parish, who are in good standing with the faith and morals of the Catholic Church, have the right to marry in their proper parish. Before a man and a woman consent to the Sacrament of Marriage the couple is required to participate in a marriage preparation program and to follow the parish wedding guidelines. It is not unusual for particular circumstances or individual needs to necessitate a relatively extensive period of time for preparation, so couples are urged to schedule a first meeting with a priest or deacon well in advance of any planned wedding date. Please call the parish office at 614-761-3734 for additional information.

Arrange a funeral Mass?
Please call the parish office to make arrangements before submitting any details to a newspaper. The priests and deacons of the parish, as well as Sister Teresa Tuite (ttuite@stbrigidofkildare.org) 614-761-3734 are available to walk the family through the planning and execution of the funeral Mass or service. They will meet with the family, explain the options, give the family copies of readings and songs from which to choose, and encourage them to take an active role in the funeral.

Have a Mass offered for someone?
Mass intentions are for the repose of the soul (deceased person(s)) or the special intention (living person(s)). St. Brigid of Kildare honors only one intention per Mass. Customary Mass stipends are $10.00 but any goodwill offering is accepted. A Mass Card is available upon request. Requests for Mass intentions are to be made in person in the parish office during regular business hours. Please call the parish office at 614-761-3734 for additional information.

Register my child at Saint Brigid of Kildare School?
Please call the school office at 614-718-5825.

Receive emails, news and/or a weekly Gospel Reflection from the parish?
Our parish sends a monthly email newsletter called the Common Threads, as well as a weekly Gospel Reflection written by our clergy. To sign up, either stop in the parish office to let them know you’d like to sign up, or visit www.stbrigidofkildare.org, click “Sign up for e-newsletters” on the home page, and fill out the form.

Get something published in the parish bulletin?
Please type up your article and submit it to Bridget Malloy by emailing it to stbrigidbulletin@stbrigidofkildare.org. Please submit your announcement or article as early as possible. Because of printing lead time, the deadline to submit articles is Thursday at noon, eleven days prior to the publication date.

Becoming a Catholic if I’m thinking about returning to the Church?RCIA provides an opportunity for adults who are seeking full communion with the Church to learn about the Catholic faith. Those interested in learning more about RCIA can email Kim VanHuffel (kvanhuff@alumni.nd.edu). If you are interested in returning to the Church, please contact Sister Teresa Tuite, Director of Adult Faith Formation (ttuite@stbrigidofkildare.org) or 614-761-3734 for more information on the process.

Have someone or something added to the prayer chain?
Prayer requests can be made by contacting Mary Longo at mlongo@stbrigidofkildare.org or 614-761-3734 .

Have a priest to anoint someone who is sick?
The priests of the parish are available to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick as necessary, day or night. Both priests are happy to come to people whether they are in a hospital, nursing home, or confined to home. Please call the parish office at 614-761-3734 during business hours Monday through Friday. The Rectory emergency telephone number is 614-717-0706 during the evening, night, and weekends.

Have a member of our pastoral staff visit someone who is sick?
The parish’s priests, deacons and pastoral associates, as well as trained volunteer ministers, are always available to visit with and bring Communion to members of the parish who are homebound or who are residents of a long term care facility. Please contact Sr. Teresa Tuite at ttuite@stbrigidofkildare.org or 614-761-3734 to make arrangements for a visit.

Get a letter for being a Confirmation sponsor?
The parish office will first confirm that you are an active, registered member (see above) of the parish and then will provide a letter on parish stationery with the Pastor’s signature and embossed Parish Seal. This letter will be mailed directly to the Confirmandi’s home parish.

Sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?
EFT allows you to contribute to the church through your bank account or credit card; it also aids our Finance Committee to properly prepare yearly budgets since it is the only way we can guarantee pledges are fulfilled. It allows funds to be contributed on a consistent basis regardless of Mass attendance or travel. EFT also allows us to keep down administrative costs. Simply contact the parish office and let them know your pledge amount and if you would like to donate monthly, quarterly or once yearly. They will need your credit card number, a copy of a voided check or deposit slip. This method is safe, easy and convenient. So please consider our fastest growing method of giving.